Ep 08: The Evolution of IR with Miriam McKay

Enquire, the Investor Relations podcast

We’ve had many impressive guests on the show, but none as experienced as IR professional, Miriam McKay. Miriam has almost 30 years of experience in financial markets, starting at Reuters, moving on to running IR for two listed fund managers, Henderson and Man Group, before settling into her current position as Director of Group Communications and Investor Relations at HomeServe. Today, she joins us to answer our pressing questions about her inspiring career journey and the evolution of investor relations over the years. Miriam fills us in on the respective challenges of managing M&A communications and managing IR in a dual-listed business. We learn about the critical relationship between IR and leadership, as well as the legal team, and the importance of maintaining in-person contact with management, from an investor’s perspective. Miriam addresses the fundamental changes in the industry in terms of communicating and prioritising ESG, as well as the exciting possibilities for IR in the digital realm. Tune in to hear from someone who has lived through the changes and truly examined IR from every angle. You won’t want to miss out on Miriam’s insights and advice!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Miriam McKay’s career journey to date!
• Miriam's unusual entry into a career in IR within Reuters.
• How she developed herself professionally during her 20-year-long role at Reuters.
• Miriam’s transition from Reuters to the more financially-focused Man Group.
• The challenges of managing communication surrounding M&A.
• The challenges of managing IR in a dual-listed business.
• How Miriam familiarised herself with foreign investor bases.
• The evolution of Investor Relations over the years.
• The digital possibilities in the world of IR.
• Leadership in IR: Miriam’s relationship with the board in her current role at HomeServe.
• The responsibility of communicating investors’ concerns in the boardroom.
• The critical relationship between IR and the legal team within HomeServe.
• Why Miriam chose to complete the FT Non-Executive Director Diploma and what it involved.
• How she started her part-time Non-Executive Director role at Emperor and what it entails.
• How to promote the IR role within an organisation.
• Current trends in Investor Relations and the hybrid communication evolution post-COVID.
• The importance of maintaining in-person contact with management.
• The authentic way in which HomeServe is communicating ESG.
• The issues with the way ESG surveys are conducted.
• The fundamental change in investors’ commitment to ESG.
• The three critical skills for succeeding in IR: alchemy, empathy and curiosity.
• Miriam’s wariness of complacency.
• Advice for those entering a career in investor relations.
• Miriam answers our rapid-fire questions about HomeServe, investor conferences, and more!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Miriam McKay on LinkedIn

Miriam McKay on Twitter

HomeServe

Emperor

Janus Henderson Investors

Man Group

JLC Investor Relations

Equitory